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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — April is Jazz Appreciation Month in Philadelphia and in cities across the country. On Friday, Mayor Michael Nutter and more than 100 area musicians celebrated in front of the home where a famous musician once lived.

The backdrop was the John Coltrane House. Sitting in front were local jazz artists, community music organizers and others, surrounding Mayor Nutter as he made this announcement.

“I do hereby proclaim the month of April as Philadelphia Jazz Appreciation Month and proclaim April 13, 2012 to be Jazz Appreciation Day in Philadelphia,” Nutter said.

A fundraising effort is underway to preserve and repair the vacant house.

Charlie Rice, a Philadelphia jazz mainstay since the 1940s, spoke of knowing Coltrane and the importance of keeping jazz alive in Philadelphia.

“Let’s keep in mind that this is a rich avenue for Philadelphia musicians. So let’s keep the thing going,” Rice explained.

And young musicians from the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts kept it going on this Jazz Appreciation Day.